The United States has condemned the government's “detention of opposition political party and civil society activists in advance of political demonstrations scheduled for April 6-9.” A statement issued by the embassy on Wednesday reads: “The arrests and harassment of pro-democracy activists violate their fundamental civil rights. The United States calls on the Government of Nepal to release these and other detained activists who have been held for voicing their opposition to autocratic rule in Nepal .” Reiterating that dialogue between Nepal 's legitimate political forces -- the King and opposition political parties -- is the “only effective way to return Nepal to democracy and address its Maoist insurgency”, the statement, however, adds that, “ Such a dialogue is not possible in a climate in which the freedoms of speech and assembly are suppressed.” The statement further adds, “We also urge the political parties and civil society to take steps to ensure their planned demonstrations in the coming days remain peaceful.
After the United States and the United Nations, the government of Japan and European Union have also expressed concerns over the ban on peaceful assembly in the Nepali capital and arrest of hundreds of demonstrators. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Japanese government expressed regret over the arrest of political party and civil society activists and demanded restoration of freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. Similarly, the European Union heads of mission in Kathmandu condemned the ban on peaceful protests in large areas of Kathmandu and the consequent arrest of many democratic party leaders, members of professional and other civil society organizations prior to demonstrators. “These actions go against the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression stipulated in international conventions to which Nepal is signatory,” said the statement issued by the Embassy of Finaland, on behalf of EU, in Kathmandu on Thursday. During a regular press briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, a spokesman of the Indian Foreign Ministry emphasized on the need for cooperation among constitutional forces in Nepal , not confrontation. “These actions by the government in Nepal are counterproductive. We urge the immediate release of those arrested and a return to the path of dialogue and reconciliation,” he said.
The EU Heads of Mission in Kathmandu condemn the ban of peaceful protests in large areas of Kathmandu and the consequent arrests of many democratic party leaders, members of professional and other civil society organizations prior to the demonstrations planned for 6.-9. of April. These actions go against the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression stipulated in international conventions, to which Nepal is signatory. The EU Heads of Mission believe that the Government´s actions further aggravate the atmosphere of confrontation in the country and are not conducive to constructive national dialogue for peace.
The volume of foreign trade has increased by 20.4 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year to reach Rs 120.42 billion compared to the same period previous year. During this period, imports increased by 22.5 percent to reach Rs 87.91 billion whereas exports increased by 15 percent to reach Rs 32.5 billion, according to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). Due to huge growth in imports compared to exports, the trade deficit has increased by 27.3 percent to reach Rs 55.41 billion. Of the total foreign trade, trade with India has increased by 30 percent (Rs 76.95 billion) and that with third countries increased by 18.5 percent (Rs 43.47 billion). Trade with India occupies 63.9 percent while that with third countries occupies 36.1 percent. Because of increasing receipt of remittances, the consumption of goods have increased, the NRB report adds.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said with only 15 doctors for 10,000 people on an average, Nepal has the smallest number of health workers in the world. In his message on the occasion of the World Health Day Friday, regional director of the WHO Samlee Pilanbangchang said the world relies on the health workers for all kinds of treatment and called for policies that help in the management of the health sector. In his message on the occasion, Minister of State for Health and Population, Mani Lama, said the government is arranging 150 doctors, who have studies in government scholarships, to work in remote areas each year. Assistant Minister Niksha Shumsher Rana said the government has appointed some 20,000 health workers to provide urgent health services in the hills and the terai.
Dozens of persons including journalists, doctors and lawyers were arrested from demonstration organized by professional organizations on Wednesday. They were later released. The security forces detained leaders and activists of seven parties. Over 200 leaders and workers including around a dozen of central leaders were detained. Among those picked up include Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) leaders Keshav Badal, Subas Nemwang, Bhim Rawal, Raghu Pant and Gopal Shakya. Of them, Nemwang, Rawal and Shakya were later released. The Nepali Congress (Democratic ) leaders who were arrester and later released in the day include general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi, spokesperson Dr. Minendra Rijal, central members Manmohan Bhattarai and Indra Bahadur Gurung. NC leader Sunil Bhandari was also arrested. Security personnel also searched houses of many political leaders. Meanwhile, following the arrests of lawyers, the Supreme Court, in response to habeas corpus petition, ordered the authorities to produce over a dozen lawyers including president of Nepal Bar Association (NBA) Shambhu Thapa, vice president Sher Bahadur KC and general secretary Madhav Baskota in court. It is the first time that the SC has held a hearing the same day of filing of a habeas corpus petition. The NBA had announced boycott of court proceedings on Wednesday in protest to the arrest of lawyers.
